Tough choice. I liked almost all of 'em, but I decided that Kathi’s looked most like a first generation unit as it would have appeared when it was new. Aside from that, I’m a sucker for mom, apple pie and Alcos.
That was a great subject choice…one I hope will be re-visited from time to time.
TJB in Nashville, TN
I almost voted for Alex’s PRR E8s,but the Amtrak unit detracted somewhat. Tom’s GP9 photo got my vote.Here were first generation units doing what they were built for.Hauling freight in actual revenue service.The Es were on a fantrip,but the GP9s were doing real work for a real railroad.[8D]
I have to agree. This shot really stood out for me. The well preserved, working locomotives and the scenery made an excellent photo. Well done Alex. [wow] [tup]
Hey Andy, I like your “almost picked,” too! Interesting angle, great light, and good composition. Nice view of the surroundings, too.
-otto-
I think it would be hard to find a first generation unit that is 50 years old in its original paint and condition! The FL9’s were rebuilt so they could remain in their daily service role (on home rails, no less), and you have to applaud CDOT for returning their units to their as-delivered paint job.
As for Kathi’s picture, the name on the side of the engine may now say “GREEN MOUNTAIN,” but that’s an original Rutland RS-1 (built 1951 new for the railroad) serving on home rails in Vermont. Squint and you could be back in time. Plus, GMRC may haul passengers on the weekends, but it’s a real deal freight hauler, too.
I don’t think a 50 year old unit would be running or look half as good without a rebuild and fresh paint at some point in its career! 
I don’t mean to pick nits, I’m enjoying all the comments and conversation.
-otto-
OK, OTTO, you win…love RS1’s (NYS&W, Butler NJ, 1958) but always loved the Nathan Chime and the utility of the FL9…so you got my vote.
It looks like Alex’s Pennsy shot will win. No big surprise there (it’s hard to beat the PRR, ain’t it Alex?). But for what it’s worth I’m going with Otto’s New Haven image. Maybe the NH was financially lame in the '60s, but that paint scheme was terrific.
FWIW…
Andy, if you’d have used that one in the contest you’d have snagged my vote. In my mind, your original submission was second to Kathi’s
TJB / Nashville, TN
Liked a bunch of these (heck, I liked 'em all!), but I’m on vacation, so I can pick what I wish for whatever crazy reason I wish.
So I choose Kathi’s, because it’s green and because it’s Alco. And a bittersweet memory for me, because the last time I was in Vermont was less than a year after the Rutland was abandoned, and its successors, including the Green Mountain, hadn’t begun operations yet.
Thanks, Kevin! These units get a mixed reaction down here… to the old New Haven railroaders, they represent the lowest-point of the railroad’s career shortly before being swallowed up by merger. To the railfans, they represent classic cab units and a brief glimpse into the past! Either way, it was a lot of fun to observe these units in their last years on home rails…
-otto-
Will have to agree w/“Potlatcher” Tom on this, although granted the subject matter’s “1st generation diesels” and not necessarily their settings and/or use. Andy’s has a pair of the least-modified (or unrestored) units working in-service, not @ a museum, nor on an excursion, nor “chopped” . . . yes, they do have ditch lights/FRA regulations but that tight tele’shot clearly shows the lead unit w/a high unmodified nose (besides having an affinity for those flanger warning signs @ the pile trestle approaches and the former MILW’s Superior Division)[:)].
Alex looks to win this hands-down, and it’s a great “classic wedgie” shot w/the fall colors, Nay Aug tunnel’s W portal, etc. What detracts from all that as-well-as the terrific restoration job on that E-8A pair is the ATK “mud-missile” and wingless/tailess “jetliner bodies” behind ‘em emerging from the bore. Too bad a bit longer tele’ shot wasn’t used to keep ATK’s consist inside the latter for a less distracting appearance.
Kathi’s shot has a very nice New England scene, and of an RS-1 besides, but there’s as much (if not more) mountain backdrop than ALCo w/train, and it is a tourist setting. Jim’s shot of the ex-SOU FP-7A/E-8A is quite good for its museum locale, but the “dark side” view did “wash-out” the FP engineer’s portion of the cab a bit much. Otto’s w/that ex-NYNH&H “McGinnis madness” FL-9A was in a regular commuter mode, but just a bit too distant and “nose-on” (maybe another shot w/less tele’ as it rounded that curve up the Danbury Branch to show more of the unit . . . ?). If the “Trackside” subject was “chop-nosed/rebuilt 1st generation Geeps” then Tom’s and Elrond’s would clearly be in the top of the votes.
I had to go with Alex because of nostalgia. All the trips with my parents were pulled by E or F units and one was a PRR on trip to NY. I can remember seeing them pull into stations, especially at night with the wigwag light shining. Since we traveled on Dad’s Frisco pass, we often changed trains at night or at lonely stations. Dad and I would also go down to Frisco yards to watch their passenger trains heading out. So this type of engine stands out in my memory and always will. Many happy times were on trains pulled by these units.